The Undying: Pain, Vulnerability, Mortality, Medicine, Art, Time, Dreams, Data, Exhaustion, Cancer, and Care
by Anne Boyer
Approximately 144 pages
This book combines personal narrative with critical insights on illness and care, offering a unique perspective.
Difficulty
Moderate
Pace
Measured
Mood
reflective, intimate
Book club
Medium
Is this book for you?
Read this if you enjoy
- personal essays
- exploring the intersection of art and illness
- introspective narratives
Consider another book if
- you prefer straightforward medical texts
- are looking for a light read
What it is about
"The Undying" explores the intersection of illness, particularly cancer, and the human experience. Anne Boyer reflects on her personal journey through diagnosis and treatment. The narrative intertwines themes of pain, vulnerability, and mortality.
Boyer examines the role of medicine and the healthcare system in shaping her experience. She discusses the emotional and physical toll of illness on the self and relationships. Art and creativity serve as vital outlets for processing her experiences.
The book addresses societal perceptions of cancer and the stigma surrounding it. Boyer contemplates the nature of time and dreams in the face of chronic illness. Data and statistics are analyzed in the context of personal narratives.
Ultimately, "The Undying" is a meditation on care and the complexities of living with illness.
Award recognition
2020 winner
Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
United States
Reader comments
Loading comments…
Similar award-winning books
Selected from shared categories, regions, award history, and reading profiles.
Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival and Hope in an American City
by Andrea Elliott
Also recognised in non fiction.
South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation
by Imani Perry
Also recognised in non fiction.
All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake
by Tiya Miles
Also recognised in non fiction.